Make rural health mission a success, officials told
Our Correspondent

Mohali, May 26
A meeting to review the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was held here yesterday under the chairpersonship of Laxmi Kanta Chawla, state health and family welfare minister.

The minister reviewed the progress of state’s programme under the NRHM.

While underlining the significance of the NRHM, Chawla stressed the smooth implementation of the mission in Punjab and asked the officers of department to put in sincere efforts to make the NRHM a success so that each and every household benefitted.

She further asked the officers to ensure that a gynecologist must be made available round the clock at all major hospitals. She emphasised that if the family welfare part was implemented smoothly, it could effectively bring down the infant mortality rate (IMR).

The implementation plan under the umbrella of the NRHM involving reproductive child health (RCH), national disease control programme (NDCP), immunisation strengthening programme, integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP), Ayush, tuberculosis control, leprosy and blindness control were discussed at length. A multimedia presentation in this regard was also made.

Besides, state as well as district-level initiatives under welfare scheme of the Janani Suraksha Yojna and no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) were discussed.

Vijay Kain, principal secretary, health and family welfare, Tilak Raj Sarangal, secretary health-cum-managing director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC), Dr Sukhdev Singh, director, health and family welfare, Dr Y.C. Markan, director, PHSC, Dr S.P.S. Sohal, additional director, health, and Vipin Sharma, general manager, PHSC, were present.

PGI docs dwell on ill-effects of tobacco
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 26
More than 8 lakh persons die in the country due to the use of tobacco. Moreover, in addition to lung diseases and asthma, tobacco use was found to be the main cause of cancer in 40 per cent patients. Dr Jasbir Singh, clinical psychologist, Cessation Clinic, PGI, revealed this, here today.

Dr Jasbir Singh was delivering a talk on the harmful effects of tobacco, at the Chandigarh railway station. The Tobacco Cessation Clinic (TCC), department of psychiatry, PGI, in collaboration with the Servant of People Society, Chandigarh, organised the talk. The talk was in preparation for “World No Tobacco Day,” which falls on May 31.

To reduce the urge to take tobacco, one should increase water intake and try alternatives like chewing gum, toffee, and peppermint, said Dr Jasbir.

Dr Neeraj of the PGI said tobacco abuse was sneaking in to every section of the society.

“Many landlords and rich farmers start smoking tobacco after coming in contact with labourers in their fields who use the substance,” said Dr Neeraj from the PGI.

Booklets, pamphlets and wristbands informing about the hazards of using tobacco and ways to get rid of the addiction were also distributed.

Focussing on migrant labourers, industrial workers and students, sensitisation and awareness programmes have been scheduled during the weeklong ‘World No Tobacco Day’ celebrations. These include, street plays on May 28 and 31 at Sukhna Lake and Plaza, Sector 17, respectively. On May 29 and 30, lectures will be held at the Rock Garden and the ISBT, Sector 17.

Wushu Meet
Meitei of Manipur strikes gold
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 26
H Omega Meitei of Manipur struck the first gold in Nanquan on the opening day of the 7th Indian Oil Junior National Wushu Championship at Sector 10 Rink Hall here this evening.

Kahimdai Pamei of Nagaland and Zeeshan of Andhra Pradesh bagged silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Pawan Kumar Bansal, minister of state for finance, inaugurated the event. K.S. Bharti, president, Wushu Association of Chandigarh, welcomed the chief guest. He thanked the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for bringing wushu in the priority list from general category.

A colourful programme was also presented by students of Bhawan Vidhalaya, Sector 27, and DAV Model School, Sector 15, Chandigarh. Urvi Manocha of Manav Mangal School stole the show by presenting Kathak dance.

More than 600 participants from 31 states participated in the march-past. A wushu demonstration enthralled the spectators

Results: Nanquan (men): 1 H. Omega Meitei (Manipur), 2 Kahimdai Pamei (Nagaland), 3 Zeeshan (Andhra Pradesh).

Mandeep advances to second round
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 26
CLTA trainee Mandeep Singh Gill advanced to the second round of the qualifying competition in the SAIL $10,000 plus Hospitality India 3 Futures ITF Men's Circuit tournament being held at the CLTA Stadium here. Gill won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Rohan guided himself to the second round with a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6 (5) 6-6 (retd) verdict. Rohan’s second round opponent in the qualifying draw of 64 will be wildcard entrant Dilshod Sharifi of Tajikistan, who ousted Narinder Saini without dropping even a single game 6-0, 6-0.

Shiva Sangwan, a trainee of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, justified his award of wildcard as he advanced to the second round in the qualifying competitions with a straight sets 6-4, 6-3 verdict against Krishna Karsolia (India) 6-4, 3-2 (retd). Indian Palash Tiwari raised his game to oust Anthony Law of Great Britain in a well-contested two-set encounter 7-5, 7-6 (5).

All other seeded players in the qualifying rounds, 2-Yannick Nelord, 3-Mithun Murali, 4-Sumit-Prakash Gupta, 5-Satoshi Yoshino (Japan) and 6-Niten Kirrtane advanced to the second round with straight sets wins against their respective opponents.

Subeer scripts win for MCA
Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 26
Subeer Hayer amassed a brilliant unbeaten century and helped Mohali Cricket Academy (MCA) to beat D.P. Azad Cricket Academy by a margin of 96 runs in the first match of the triangular u-13 cricket tournament. The tournament was played at the MCA ground, here, today.

Subeer Hayer provided a touch to his unbeaten 110 runs with the help of 17 classy boundaries He was ably supported by a smartly collected 57 by Mayank Munjal and the pair helped MCA reach a handsome total of 199 runs in the stipulated 35 overs.

For D.P. Azad Academy, Ankur took 1 for 25 and Rahul took 1 for 28. In reply, D.P. Azad Academy was provided a fluent start by Karan Aggarwal (25) and Daksh Aggarwal (22).

However, the remaining batsmen, with the exception of Talwinder (22), yielded to the wily right arm leg spin of Jasinder (5 for 25) and crafty off spin of Mehnaz (3 for 19).

Brief Score: MCA: 199 for 3 in 35 overs (Subeer Hayer 110 n.o. Mayank Munjal 57 Ankur 1 for 25, Rahul 1 for 28;

D.P. Azad Academy: 103 all out in 28 overs (Karan Aggarwal 25, Daksh Aggarwal 22, Talwinder 22, Jasinder 5 for 25, Mehnaz 3 for 28).

Cricket: Surinder steers Bhaskar to victory
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 26
The unbeaten 49-runs partnership of Surinder and Kewal for the last wicket steered the Bhaskar team to victory over CMRA XI in the Hot Weather Cricket Tournament being organised by the Chandigarh sports department at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium here today.

Chasing the target of 123, the Bhaskar team was limping at 75 for 9 at one stage. But putting up a bold front, Surinder and Kewal batted with determination to reach the target in 20.1 overs. Surinder hit an unbeaten 25 runs in 18 balls while Kewal remained not out on 27.

The team made 124 for 9 in 20.1 overs. For CMRA, Rahul was the wrecker-in-chief, finishing 4 for 16. Sandeep Sood snapped two wickets conceding 26 runs.

Earlier, CMRA XI scored 122 all out in 23.4 overs. Love Kapoor was the highest scorer with 18 runs followed by Rahul’s 13-run knock. Sanjeev took 3 for 17 whereas Pawan, Surinder and Amitoj claimed one wicket each.

Chandan rows to victory
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 26
Chandan got gold in the single scull (M1x) under the sub-junior (boys) category clocking 2:24.52 seconds in the Chandigarh State Sub-junior and Challenger Rowing Championship for men and women that was held at the Lake Club, Sukhna Lake, here, today. The races were conducted on a 500m long water course as per the RFI rules.

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Rowing Association is going to sponsor its team for the 10th Sub-junior and 12th Challenger National Rowing Championship that are going to be held at Hussain Sagar Lake, Hyderabad, from June 4 to 10.

Carrom tourney from June 9

Chandigarh, May 26
The 17th Chandigarh State Carrom Championship for sub-junior boys and girls would be organised by the association on June 9 and 10 at St. Stephen’s School, Sector 45, here. The participants must be below the age of 14 years as on June 30, 2007. Entries may be submitted with Diwan Singh Aithani, assistant general secretary of the association, at #564-A, Sector 32-A (phone: 6540397). Entries will close on June 4 at 7 pm. — TNS